Again, I don’t expect you to suddenly decide to become a journalist. I do hope you’ve gained, in the past few chapters, a deeper appreciation for the craft and the people who practice it honorably. Maybe you’ll be one of them from time to time.
Even if you never commit a single act of journalism, though, it’s important to understand that being literate in today’s world means more than just smarter consumption, however actively you do that.
Being literate is also about creating, contributing and collaborating. In the Digital Age, participation is part of genuine literacy. As Jay Rosen said, your authority begins when you do the work. Remember that as you read the next few chapters, where we’ll look at what this means, and how you can participate—at whatever level feels best to you.